How to Plan a Fall Craft Night

Hosting a Craft Night (or a Pinterest Party as many like to call them nowadays) is easy and fun!

Here are a few tips and tricks to make your Fall Craft Night a success!

The Food:

Make it easy on yourself and go potluck style!  As the host, cook a dish that can serve a large group (we love this tortilla soup recipe).  Then ask your guests to bring everything else.  You can even offer up ideas such as salad, sides, desserts, etc.  Feel like making dessert too?  Try our easy Faulkner's Fallfetti Popcorn recipe which is great to snack on while crafting!

The Drinks:

If you want to go the festive route, we recommend this easy Fall Apple Cider Party Punch that we shared yesterday.  However, you can also serve something simple like water and tea.  Don't hesitate to ask guests to bring a bottle of wine.

The Decor:

Keep it simple and stay with your normal fall decor.  Don't have a Fall centerpiece on your table yet?  Use our tips and tricks to create one of your own!  Also, make sure that you have enough space on your countertops or table to put all of the potluck food.  Your counters may look bare before your guests arrive, but trust us, once they are there you will be searching for space to put the delicious dishes.

The Craft:

Here are the things to consider when choosing a craft. 

• Cost:  Since you will be purchasing materials for several crafts, keep this in mind.  Choose crafts that you can buy the materials in bulk like ribbon, buttons, etc.
• Cleanup:  Either choose a craft that does not make a huge mess or provide a small trashcan on the table to put materials.  
• Tools/Materials Needed:  Avoid choosing crafts that require hot glue guns since those tend to be messy. Gluing one thing to a pumpkin is no big deal, however if every single thing needs to be hot glued you will find it to be troublesome.  You want the craft to be something you can talk during, instead of something that requires too much attention.
• Can your guests take it home right away?: You want to avoid using paints or things that will have to dry. 

Two great places to find your craft are here on our blog.  You can see our pumpkin ideas right here.  Or you can check out our Pinterest Boards dedicated to Pumpkin Ideas and Cool Country Crafts.

Other Things to Consider:

Music sets the mood.  Set your iPod or computer to Pandora and crank it up.  For Fall, we love the Mumford and Sons or Today's Country Hits stations.

Before parties, it is always a good idea to turn the thermostat down.  All of those extra bodies can cause it to get warm.

For more Fall party ideas, check out our Pinterest Board!

Follow these tips and you'll be sure to have a Fall Craft Night that everyone will enjoy!

Have a great day, ya'll!

~ Your Friends at Faulkner's

Pumpkin Beauty Tips + A Pumpkin Spice Sugar Body Scrub

There is no argument that pumpkin is a yummy treat. Well, maybe there is an argument but we don't want to hear it. Did you know though that pumpkin isn't only delicious, but it is also great for your health and beauty? That's right! This gourd can make you gorgeous!
Here are a few fun facts about pumpkin:

• Pumpkins are rich in nutrients and antioxidants that can help your skin attain a healthy glow.
• Do you have sensitive skin? Are you prone to blemishes? Then add pumpkin seeds to your diet! They're packed with zinc, which has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that may help calm irritated skin from the inside out.
• Pumpkin enzymes can soothe and protect your skin.
• Pumpkin are chocked-full of vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, which are awesome for your skin.

Want to cash in on the perks of pumpkins?  Then follow the simple recipe below to make your own Pumpkin Body Scrub that will leave your skin feeling SO SOFT (plus, it smells SUPER yummy!).

Pumpkin Spice Sugar Body Scrub

INGREDIENTS:
1 ½ Cup of Sugar
¼ Cup of Canned Pumpkin (organic is preferred)
1 Tablespoon of Almond Oil or Olive Oil
1 Tablespoon of Vegetable Glycerin (optional)
A Light Sprinkle of Pumpkin Pie Spice (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:
To make this wonderful scrub, simply mix all of the ingredients together and store in an airtight container. Once a week, rub this scrub all over your body in a circular motion while you're in the shower and rinse with warm water. In order for the benefits to last, make sure you apply a moisturizer after you have rinsed off each scrub. This will not only enhance the benefits of each treatment but will also prolong the effects.

Have a great day, ya'll!

~ Your Friends at Faulkner's

PS - Don't forget to come see us this weekend at the Pumpkin Farm!  It's Wild Western Weekend!  YEE-HAW!

How to Make a Centerpiece with Real Pumpkins

Recently, the lovely people of Cameron's Home Furnishings invited us to teach a class at their store on decorating with real pumpkins.  First things first, if you have never been to their store in downtown Lee's Summit, go there now!  Everything is absolutely beautiful - you could spend hours in there shopping your little heart away!

Anyway, back to the pumpkins!  We spent an evening with almost 30 lovely ladies, sharing with them our favorite tips and tricks for using real pumpkins in centerpieces and displays.

Of course, we love our blog readers so much that we just had to share those secrets with you too.  Enjoy!

First of all, remember this little poem when it comes to decorating centerpieces:

Base

Think Big

Fill, Line, or Bunch

Tweak to Add a Punch!

Let's break that down for ya!

Base - Always start out with a base to give yourself a boundaries.  This can be a table runner, a piece of fabric, a tray, a basket, a mirror, a tree stump, anything!  If you want something a bit more dramatic, choose something that elevates your centerpiece from the table.  If you're looking for something convenient with little kids around, choose a tray or basket that you can easily move.

Think Big - Once you have your base, the next step is to add your biggest items.  We usually recommend adding at least three large items that are slightly different heights to create a visual triangle.  This is a great place to add your pumpkins or gourds.  By the way, pie pumpkins (the middle sized) work great for this.  Also, you don't want any of your items to be over 8" tall if you are using this on a table.  Some people recommend nothing over 1 foot, but that seems to block a lot of people's views across the table.  Remember: You want them to be talking about the centerpiece, not over it!

Fill, Line, or Bunch - Next is the fun part!  This is where you start to make your centerpiece come to life.  There are three main ways that you can put together a centerpiece.  You can fill it (i.e. put a bunch of pumpkins and pine cones into a basket), you can line it (pumpkins and candles in a row), or you can bunch it (create a vignette using pumpkins and decorative items).  If you are putting a display together and it just doesn't seem right, try switching up what you are using.  We can usually guarantee that one of these three will work.

Tweak to Add a Punch - This is the step where you look back and see what is needed/missing.  Maybe it is color, so you can throw in some bright mini pumpkins.  Maybe it needs more texture, so you can add some leaves.  Maybe you're missing height and can throw in a taller lantern.  Play around with it and have fun!  Remember:  You can always add something and remove it.  Sometimes you'll be surprised at how something unusual will make a great impact!

When It Comes to Shopping for Your Centerpiece...

First, know your style.  One of the easiest ways to do this is to create a Pinterest Board and see what you pin the most.

Second, know how to pick the right pumpkins (ones that will last).  You can find our Pumpkin Picking Tips here!

Third, when it comes to purchasing the other items, we recommend three things:

1.  Choose items that you can use year-round.  You'll see that in almost all of the images, several of the items can be used outside of Fall.

2. Invest in versatile items.  Pine cones, leaves, scary cloth, etc. can all be used several different ways each fall season.

3.  When choosing seasonal items, pick ones that you LOVE!  You know that feeling when you open up your bin of decorations and get excited over one of your favorite pieces?  That's what you want for almost everything you own!  Right now, Cameron's has the most adorable Fall and Halloween pieces you've ever seen!  It's the kind of stuff that you will love for years and years to come!

  

Trust us, if you follow these tips you'll be well on your way to having a centerpiece that is the talk of the table!

Have a great day, ya'll!

~ Your Friends at Faulkner's

PS - Don't forget to go like our friends at Cameron's Home Furnishings on Facebook!  

Mini Pumpkin Extravaganza!

Our creative genius, Lisa, has done it again!

Check out these adorable Mini Pumpercase Living Pumpkins that she created!

They're for sale in the Harvest Barn for just $2.00 a pumpkin!

Come pick some up today to make the perfect fall centerpiece or mantle display!

Have a great day ya'll!

~ Your Friends at Faulkner's

Congratulations to Our Donation Request Winners!

Congratulations To Our Pumpkin Donation Request Drawing Winners!!!

This Year’s Pumpkin Donation Drawing Winners Are:

Hawthorne Hill Elementary (Angie Stott)

Residential Care Facility (Rita Dillon)

Johnson Elementary PTA (Stephanie Tyler)

Chapel Lakes Elementary (Jacque Hayes)
and
Langsford House of Lee's Summit (Carla Griffin)

*Please contact Faulkner's Ranch to set up a time to pick up your pumpkins.

Thank you for all of your entries!Remember, if you didn’t win this time you stay in the drawing pot for future drawings until your group’s name is drawn.

As a bonus thank you to everyone who entered, all donation request groups will receive a special rate on mini-pumpkins while supplies last.  Mini-pumpkins will be only $ .50 a piece, our lowest price available to any group!

Just call 816-761-1234 and place your order over the phone!  We’ll package them up and have them ready to go for pickup Monday through Friday!

The Story of YOUR Pumpkin - Contest Winner!

Last week we asked you to share the stories of YOUR pumpkins!  We got many wonderful entries and enjoyed reading all of them, but one stood out among the rest.

So now, without further ado, we would like to say a big congratulations to the winners of our contest:
George and Sandra Binger!

Their story made us smile so much and we know that it will make you smile too.
Enjoy!

The Story of OUR Pumpkin

by George and Sandra Binger

In a sea of orange, located at Faulkner's Pumpkin Farm, was a pumpkin who longed to be decorated.  He wanted to sit on a porch, to sit with other scarecrows and flowers and be admired by many.  

Along came a little girl, with her mom, and took this special pumpkin into her arms.  The little girl also asked to take home two petite white pumpkins.    

She already had an idea in her head, coupled with a magazine display, and promptly took her Momma to the craft store for the necessary purchases.  

Carving was not the decorating this little girl had in mind.  Observing and catching butterflies is one of the numerous things she loves to do, and decided to take her love for butterflies and place them on her pumpkin.  

This pumpkin was elated to be a part of the process and is very content sitting on this little girl's front porch, now complete with a cluster of glossy black butterflies "flying" around him.

What came of the little white pumpkins?

They are in "hiding", like Zorro...keeping an eye on all the porch happenings...

Isn't that story just the sweetest?
We love hearing that our pumpkins go to good homes and we love it when our guests share with us the adorable ways that they make those pumpkins their own.
So, thank you so much for sharing this delightful story, George and Sandra!
Be sure to stop on by the pumpkin farm to pick up your prize - a signed copy of George Fiorello's The Story of Pumpkin and another pumpkin for you to take home and have fun decorating!

Now it's time for you all of you to come on out to the pumpkin farm and create your own story of pumpkin!

Have a great day ya'll and we hope to see you soon!

~ Your Friends at Faulkner's

What Is The Story of YOUR Pumpkin? Contest

Ever since our first pumpkin season, one very special book has been read literally thousands of times by our scarecrows: The Story of Pumpkin.

This delightful fall tale, written and illustrated by Frank Fiorello, holds a special place in the hearts of everyone at Faulkner’s Ranch and Pumpkin Farm.  Not only has it been the story that we share with wide-eyed children year after year, but Frank Fiorello has become a good friend of the Faulkner’s.  Each year, Frank, a fellow pumpkin farm owner, calls Christine to talk pumpkin patches and see how many books she would like to order.

We love hearing his story of pumpkin - after all these years it never gets old!

That is why we want to know...

What is the story of YOUR pumpkin?

We want to hear your favorite pumpkin memory!

What did you do with your pumpkin once you brought it home? Did you give it a name? Did you carve it? Did you use it to make a pumpkin pie? Did you bring it home alone or did you have a whole little pumpkin famliy.
And most importantly, why does that pumpkin bring about a special memory?

Submit your story via Facebook Message or e-mail it to socialmedia@faulknersranch.com.

The winning story will receive a copy of The Story of Pumpkin, as well as a free pumpkin to take home.

Contest is open to all ages.
Winner will be announced on Thursday, October 17th.

Good luck! We can’t wait to hear your stories!

~ Your Friends at Faulkner’s

PS - Stop by our Harvest Barn to get your own copy of The Story of Pumpkin to share and enjoy for only $8.95.

Record Setting Pumpkins

Did you heard the latest pumpkin news?

Ron Wallace, a Rhode Island man, won $15,500 for his record setting pumpkin that weighed a whopping 2,009 lbs!

Ron Wallace and his 1-ton pumpkin (image via)

Holy Moly!

That's a lot of pumpkin pie folks!

Our two record pumpkins this year were 77 lbs and 80 lbs.

Looks like we've got a ways to go to catch up with this man!

To read more about the record setting 1-ton pumpkin check out this article from the Kansas City Star.

Also, you can take home one of our record holders! Both are available in the Harvest Barn for just $.40 a lb!

Have a great day and we hope to see you soon out at the Pumpkin Farm!

~ Your Friends at Faulkner's

How to Choose the Perfect Pumpkin

It's Fall Ya'll!

Which means that it is time to get out that fall decor!  Of course, no fall home is complete without some of our favorite little orange guys.

We're talking about pumpkins folks!

So, before we share with you all of our awesome pumpkin decorating ideas, we thought that we would give you the lowdown on how to pick the best of the best when it comes to your pumpkins.

Tips for Selecting the Perfect Pumpkin

Look for pumpkins that are rich in color.

Look at the pumpkin from all sides to make sure that there are no bruises, soft spots, scars or signs of mold.

Choose a pumpkin that feels firm and heavy for its size.

Turn the pumpkin over and place pressure on the bottom with your thumbs. If it flexes or gives your pumpkin is not fresh.

Check that the stem is solidly attached (but never pick it up by the stem, hold your pumpkin by the base).

A green stem indicates a freshly harvested pumpkin.

Set the pumpkin on flat ground to make sure it’s level.

How many will you need? 

Odd numbers are better. 3 should be the minimum number in your display.

What sizes?

A variety! One big, one medium, and one small is a nice start.

What about those weird looking ones?

Yes, the gourds and the squash!  Don’t be afraid of using these just because they’ve got some bumps.  Gourds and squash add visual interest to your display!

And remember...

Set your pumpkins in cool, dry place that is not in direct sunlight.

Also, never set the pumpkin directly onto your mantle.  Always place the pumpkin on a non-permeable surface.  This can be a flat candle plate, oatmeal box top, or folded up tinfoil.

This is a precaution in case the bottom of your pumpkin begins to rot and leak over time.

Lastly, remember safety first!  If you plan on using your fireplace, make sure that you have nothing flammable hanging from it.

For tips on preserving your pumpkins, click here.

At Faulkner's Ranch, we make your job easy!
We only display the finest pumpkins.  All of the pumpkins you will find in our Harvest Barn are a deep orange in color.  No broken stems.  No bruises.
Only the best of the best!

Have a great day ya'll and we hope to see you soon!

~ Your Friends at Faulkner's

PS - Check out the awesome events that we have coming up.  First up, Wild Western Weekend on October 6th and 7th!

A Rustic Fall Wedding

A couple of weeks ago we had yet another amazing wedding at the ranch when we had the privilege to work with Hannah and Issac Cole on their special day.

These two lovebirds were just awesome to work with!  They were big kids at heart and totally made for one another, which of course makes our job really fun!

We were thrilled when we found out that they wanted to have a rustic, fall, pumpkin themed wedding.

In order to make their dream wedding come true, they brought in the experts at Blue Bouquet, one of Kansas City's premier florists.

Check out the awesome look this professional team created to make this couple's vision come to life!

Let's start with the ceremony site which was lined with pumpkins...

Simple and beautiful!

They then carried the pumpkin/fall/rustic theme into the ceremony decor with the centerpieces.

We loved how they used a variety of different types of flowers and vases, along with mini-pumpkins to achieve this look.

Plus, check out these awesome mason jars that they used as candle holders.

We have seen burlap around the base of a mason jar but they used jute which was so cute!

One of the benefits of hiring a florist to set up your wedding is that you get to r-e-l-a-x!  

That's why we love the picture below of the mother of the bride just chilling in a rocking chair before the guests arrived.

Because she hired a professional like Blue Bouquet, all of the details were seen to, leaving her to relax and enjoy watching her daughter take pictures before the wedding.

Now, back to the decor!  One thing that made this wedding unique was that this couple had a lot of very personal elements worked into their design.

One special element included the use of the family sofa that they lovingly referred to as "the pit."  The Mother of the Bride told us all about how the sofa has been in their family for 30 years and how she even has pictures of her oldest son in diapers on it.

The close friends of the bride were even telling us about how many movies they have watched on "the pit: and how many nights they have slept on it (as well as a couple of make out sessions in their teenage years, lol).
So it was a natural that it spent its last night at Hannah’s wedding, placed perfectly next to the ambient fires for people to lounge on and reminisce.

Speaking of seating, we love how they incorporated hay bales into their pavilion design to give the guests more options...

What truly set the pavilion off though was the lighting.
It was amazing!

The Blue Bouquet floral crew hand-screwed in hundreds of very fragile bulbs and then hand unscrewed them too at the end of the night.  In all they had 5 staff here from 12:30pm to 4:30pm decorating the banquet barn, pavilion, and wedding arbor.  We estimate that they put about  30 man-hours into on-site decor and tear down.  Who knows how many they had in preparation?

And boy did it show!

 
So pretty!

The banquet barn continued their theme and further illustrated how these two were just kids at heart.

As you can see in the photo of the dessert bar below, they took the bride's pumpkin rustic theme and mixed in the groom's love of superheroes and comic books (see them on the table?)

Oh, and did we mention that the  groom even wore a superman boutonniere.

The couple also had a very unique guest book which was based on the movie "Up."

Each guest made a thumbprint to look like a balloon and their name or signature to look like the string.  They will display this in their home.
What a fantastic piece of art to walk by each day and remind you of how special your wedding was!

Another cool thing that the couple did in lieu of party favors was that they donated to their special friend Charles's surgery.
Charles lives in Uganda and you can read from the picture below his story about being hit by a car at age four.

They also Skyped in a relative in Uganda during the ceremony and reception which was fun.

Overall, this wedding was such a joy to be a part of!
So unique and personal, and of course, we LOVED how they incorporated pumpkins into their design!
Thank you Hannah and Issac for choosing Faulkner's Ranch as the place for your special day!

If you’re interested in having your wedding at Faulkner’s Ranch click here for more information! We’d love to show you around and tell you about all that we have to offer!

Also, be sure to check out Blue Bouquet if you are looking for a phenomenal florist!  They were an absolute pleasure to work with and we can't wait to have them back out at the ranch again.

Have a great day ya’ll!

~Your Friends at Faulkner’s

Reader Showcase: Pumpkin Bird Feeders

If you are like us, many of you probably still have pumpkins sitting on your front porch.

Instead of just tossing them in the trash, why not turn them into these awesome birdfeeders like Lisa Gosselin did!

Aren't those just too cool?

Lisa made these birdfeeders out of her leftover Faulkner's pumpkins by carving them and then filling them with chicken scratch.  Not only is chicken scratch cheaper than birdseed, but it is also less messy (there are no shells to worry about).

These bird feeders are not only super cute and inexpensive, but the birds can also eat off of the pumpkin meat for a water source during the winter.

Thanks for sharing this awesome idea, Lisa!  We can't wait to see what creative idea you come up with next!

For more pumpkin bird feeder ideas, check out our Pinterest board.

Have a wonderful day!

~ Your Friends at Faulkner’s